MARSHALL — This week, there will be a few different opportunities to get outside and enjoy food and community in Marshall.

This summer’s Eats & Beats lineup will begin Thursday evening in downtown Marshall, and on Friday the city of Marshall will be marking the Juneteenth holiday with a lineup of events both downtown and at Justice Park.

“Juneteenth is an event we take pride in,” said Jasmine DeSmet, community education coordinator at Marshall Community Services.

The holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., and it’s a time to celebrate the pursuit of equality, DeSmet said.

She said Marshall’s Juneteenth celebrations will include something for people of all ages.

“The weather is supposed to be wonderful, so we’re really excited about that,” she said.

From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, there will be a variety of food trucks, as well as fun activities like face painting and music from DJ Oak Grooves, on Third Street downtown. During the day, the Marshall-Lyon County Library will also have a story walk that is tied in with the Juneteenth holiday, DeSmet said.

Later on Friday, the Juneteenth celebrations will move to Justice Park. There will be live performances and music, including performances by the Duniya Drum and Dance group, and music and trivia by DJ Advance, DeSmet said. There will also be inflatables in the park, food trucks and refreshments for attendees.

Juneteenth festivities in Justice Park will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday.

DeSmet said the Juneteenth celebration would not be possible without the support of local sponsors and donors.

“We’re very appreciative of them,” she said.

Easts & Beats returns Thursday

Organizers of Eats & Beats are hoping to bring a variety of area musicians downtown on Thursday evenings, said Cassi Weiss of Visit Marshall. The event is from 6-8 p.m. this Thursday on Third Street downtown.

“I think every year that we’ve done music downtown, it has had a great response,” Weiss said.

This year, there are also going to be some new additions.

“We have a few vendors,” who will be joining the event, Weiss said.

As in past years, there will be area food vendors downtown, and a cash bar provided by local businesses The Gambler and Atlantic Place. On Thursday, the Lingen Dairy food truck will be at Eats & Beats.

Weiss said music performances will put the spotlight on artists who may be new to the Marshall area. To start out Eats & Beats this Thursday, the featured performance will be by singer-songwriter Jake Nelson.

Weiss said visitors should also be aware of some special offers for Eats & Beats this Thursday. People who spend $25 at a downtown Marshall business on Thursday can get a free drink during Eats & Beats, she said. The Varsity Pub will also be offering 10% off food orders for takeout during the event. The offer is not good for online orders, so customers will need to call the Varsity Pub, she said.

Eats & Beats events will be held on Thursday evenings through July 23, with a week off on July 2, Weiss said.